Apparatus and system for securing cargo

ABSTRACT

A retractable securement apparatus and system for securing cargo to a support structure to prevent undesired relative movement between the cargo and the support. The apparatus comprises a strap contained in an elongate tubular member that is a component of one or both of the cargo or the support structure. One way strap stops fix ends of the strap relative to the tubular member yet allow the strap to be extended from a normally retracted position to an extended position in which has hook members on one or both ends of the straps secure the cargo to the support. The apparatus is particularly suited for securing ladders, hand trucks and wheelbarrows and the like to pick up truck racks or racks for standard automobiles.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an apparatus and system for securely attachingcargo and the like to a support structure to prevent unwanted movementof the cargo relative to the support, for example during transport. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to an apparatus and system forsecuring cargo such as ladders, hand trucks and the like to supportstructures such as racks on motor vehicles, thereby preventing undesiredmovement of the cargo while the motor vehicle is moving.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Whenever cargo is transported on a moving vehicle it is essential thatthe cargo be securely attached to the vehicle. Without secure attachmentbetween the cargo and the vehicle, shifting or other movement of thecargo may occur as the vehicle moves, leading to damage to the cargo oreven to accidents in which not only may the cargo be damaged, but peoplemay be injured.

There are many methods for attaching cargo to vehicles, most of themethods depending upon the nature of the cargo and the kind of vehicletransporting the cargo. One of the most common methods of securingcargo, and one that is both useful and effective, is to strap the cargoto the vehicle, or to a rack on the vehicle, with one or more cargostraps. For instance, cargo may be supported on a vehicle rack and oneor more straps are connected between the cargo and the rack to provide asecure attachment and to prevent undesired movement of the cargo duringtransport.

The strap method is used with many kinds of cargoes and vehicles, fromlogs carried on logging trucks to relatively smaller cargo items such asboxes carried in the bed of a standard pick up truck. The use of strapsto tie cargo to a supporting structure is particularly useful withrelatively lighter cargoes such as ladders, hand trucks, wheelbarrowsand other light industrial tools that are attached to racks for pick uptrucks or car-top racks for automobiles.

However, a common problem encountered with using straps to secure cargoto a vehicle is that the straps are often misplaced or lost, or are notreadily available when the time comes for strapping the cargo to therack. As anyone who has experienced a lost cargo strap knows, a loststrap can be a significant inconvenience, as an inordinate amount oftime can be spent hunting for the lost strap. In addition, when securingcargo to a rack it is often necessary to have the strap immediatelyavailable at the time the cargo is loaded onto the rack, for instancewhen the strap itself provides part of the support system for the cargo.As an example, ladders are often transported on pick up truck racks.Occasionally the ladders are attached to the vertical support posts thatsupport the upper portions of the rack, with the ladder oriented suchthat the rungs extend in the vertical direction and the longitudinalaxis of the ladder oriented along the length of the truck. If there areno shelves on the rack to support the ladder, the straps that secure theladder to the rack may also serve the function of supporting the ladderon the rack.

When this kind of attachment is used it is necessary to strap the ladderin position on the rack at the same time it is lifted into place. Thiscan be difficult since the ladder may be heavy and unwieldy, especiallyif only one person is lifting the ladder into position. As such, it isnecessary to have the attaching straps in hand and ready when the ladderis lifted into position. Obviously, if the straps are not readilyavailable or are misplace, the ladder may need to be lowered from therack while the straps are located.

In addition to the problems associated with lost or misplaced straps,another common problem is not having enough straps on hand to adequatelysecure the load to the vehicle. This problem is likely a result of theproblem just described--lost or misplaced straps. That is, since strapsare often lost, there may not be enough of them available when the timecomes for them to be used. Regardless of the source of the problem, itis inconvenient to have too few straps available, and may lead to a loadbeing inadequately secured on a vehicle.

Thus, there is a need therefore for improved apparatus for securingcargo to supports, and particularly apparatus that eliminates theproblems associated with lost securing straps and not having enoughstraps to secure the cargo. In addition, there is a need for asecurement apparatus that permits cargo to be locked in place to reducetheft of the cargo.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a cargo-securement apparatus and system forsecuring cargo of various kinds to support structures such as motorvehicle racks. The apparatus is contained within an elongate tubularmember that is a component part of either the cargo or the rack.Adjustable straps that secure the cargo to the rack are components ofthe securement apparatus and thus are made a part of either the cargo orthe rack. In a first preferred embodiment wherein the apparatus is acomponent of the cargo, the securing straps are carried in an elongatetubular member that is a component of the cargo. When there is a need tosecure the cargo to the rack, the straps are extended out of the tubularmember and are attached either directly or indirectly to the rack tosecurely attach the cargo to the rack. In a second preferred embodimentwherein the apparatus is a part of the rack, the securing straps arecarried in an elongate tubular member that is a component of the rack.When there is a need to secure the cargo to the rack, the straps areextended out of the tubular member and are attached either directly orindirectly to the cargo to securely attach the cargo to the rack.

Accordingly, one primary object and advantage of this invention is toeliminate the problems associated with lost cargo-restraining straps byproviding a cargo securing system that is a component part of the rackor the cargo itself.

Another object and advantage of this invention is to providecargo-securing apparatus and system that has an appropriate number ofcargo-restraining straps for the particular item of cargo, oralternatively for the particular type of rack.

A further object and advantage of the invention is to provide anefficient and easily used system for attaching light tools such asladders, hand trucks, wheelbarrows and the like to support racksattached pick up trucks and roof racks for automobiles.

Still another object and advantage of the invention is to provide acargo-securing apparatus and system that is readily adjustable toaccommodate different loading situations.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following drawings and detailed description of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the securementapparatus and system of the present invention illustrated with referenceto a ladder and a pick up truck rack.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the securement apparatus of thepresent invention, illustrating the apparatus embodied in an elongatetubular member such as a rung of a ladder.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating analternate configuration of the apparatus of the present inventionembodied in an elongate tubular member such as a rung of a ladder.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 taken alongthe line 4--4 of FIG. 1, and illustrating an alternative configurationof the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a detailed cross sectional view of the head end of the strapof the securement apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of thesecurement apparatus of the present invention embodied in an elongatetubular member such as a rung of a ladder, and including a system foradjusting the strap system.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of thesecurement apparatus of the present invention embodied in an elongatetubular member such as a rung of a ladder.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of another alternate embodiment of thepresent invention embodied in an elongate tubular member such as a rungof a ladder, and including apparatus for preventing theft of the tubularmember.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of another alternate embodiment of theembodiment of FIG. 8, illustrating the invention embodied in an elongatetubular member such as a rung of a ladder.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of yet another alternate embodiment ofthe invention including apparatus for preventing theft of the tubularmember.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the presentinvention in an elongate tubular member such as the rung of a ladder.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of yet another alternate embodiment ofthe invention showing an alternate method of adjusting the strap system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a cargo-securementapparatus and system according to the present invention. In a preferredembodiment the cargo-securement apparatus and system 10 is a componentof the cargo, which in the illustration of FIG. 1 is a ladder 12.Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the cargo-securement apparatusand system 126 may be a component of a support structure, which in theillustration of FIG. 1 is a rack 128 for a pick up truck, but which alsocould be a roof rack for a standard automobile or other supportingstructure. As will be appreciated from the description below, thesecurement apparatus of the present invention is configured for securelyattaching cargo such as a ladder, hand truck, wheelbarrow or other itemssuch as scaffolding planks to a rack or other support structure. Thesecurement apparatus may be a component of the cargo, as illustratedwith ladder 12, or the apparatus may be a component of the rack or othersupport structure, as illustrated with rack 128.

Preferred Embodiment

Referring to the embodiment of apparatus and system 10 illustrated inFIG. 1, the securement apparatus 10 comprises an extendable strap 14that is carried within an elongate tubular member 16 that is a componentof a piece of cargo--ladder 12 in FIG. 1. The extendable strap 14 may bean elastomeric cord or may be a fabric strap, rope, wire rope, cable,chain or the like having a mechanism such as a buckle, coils or the likefor permitting extension and retraction of the head end of the cord, andfor applying tension to the cord. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 theelongate tubular member 16 is a rung of ladder 12. However, the presentinvention is not limited to ladders and the elongate tubular member maybe any elongate tubular structural member of a piece of cargo. Forexample, the present invention is applicable to cargo such as handtrucks, wheelbarrows, scaffolding planks and other similar equipment.For reference purposes and for purposes of describing a preferredembodiment of the invention, the invention will be described with regardto ladder 12.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view through an elongate tubular member 16along its longitudinal length. Elongate tubular member 16 has oppositelateral ends 18 and 20 and a passageway 22 that runs therebetween forthe length of the member between the lateral ends. In the embodiment ofFIG. 2, lateral ends 18 and 20 are open but covered with a removable cap65, which is described below. Opposite lateral ends 18 and 20 arefixedly connected in well known manners such as by welding in the caseof a metal ladder, or compression fitting in the case of aluminumladders, to ladder rails 24 and 26 respectively. In the ladderillustrated in FIG. 1, rails 24 and 26 comprise elongate U-shapedmembers that define an elongate trough 28 that extends along the lengthof the rails between the opposite upright members.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a stop 30 is fitted into lateral end 20 oftubular member 16. Stop 30 comprises a cup-shaped member having anexternal circumferential outwardly projecting lip 32, a sidewall portion34 that extends inwardly from lip 32 into lateral end 20 of member 16,and a bottom wall portion 36 that at least partly occludes thepassageway 22 through member 16. Stop 30 generally has the same crosssectional shape as tubular member 16 and is sized to fit into lateralend 20 such that lip 32 butts against the outer margin of lateral end20. As detailed below, stop 30 may be attached to lateral end 20 in anysuitable manner, for instance by a compression fit or by threadedattachment, or retained in position by tension on strap 14, in whichcase the stop is removable from the end of the tubular member. Sidewallportion 34 of stop 30 extends partly into lateral end 20 to define arecessed portion 35. A bore 38 is formed through the bottom wall portion36 of stop 30 to allow passage of one end of strap 14 through bore 38from the interior passageway 22. As illustrated in FIG. 2, strap 14 lieswithin passageway 22 such that end 40 of strap 14 passes through bore38. Bore 38 is sized so that strap 14 can pass freely through the bore.A collar 42 is connected to end 40 of strap 14. Collar 42 may beattached to end 40 in any sufficient and well-known manner, for instancewith a compression fitting. The diameter of collar 42 is greater thanthe diameter of bore 38 to prevent collar 42 and therefore end 40 frompassing through bore 38 inward of stop 30. Collar 42 thus anchors end 40in a fixed position.

A stop 44 is fitted into open lateral end 18 of tubular member 16. Stop44 is shaped similarly to stop 30. Thus, stop 44 comprises a cup-shapedmember having an external circumferential outwardly projecting lip 46, asidewall portion 48 that extends inwardly from lip 46 into lateral end18 of member 16, and a bottom wall portion 50 that at least partlyoccludes passageway 22 through member 16. Stop 44 generally has the samecross sectional shape as tubular member 16 and is sized to fit intolateral end 18 such that lip 46 butts against the outer margin oflateral end 18. Stop 44 is fixedly attached to lateral end 18, forinstance by compression fitting or by means of attachment devices suchas rivets to prevent the stop from being readily removed therefrom. Abore 52 is formed through the bottom wall portion 50 of stop 44 to allowpassage of end 54 of strap 14 through bore 52 from the interiorpassageway 22 through member 16.

Strap 14 lies within passageway 22 such that end 54 of strap 14 passesthrough bore 52. A hook 56 is connected to end 52 of strap 14 outward ofthe bottom wall portion 50 of stop 44. Hook 56 is connected to end 52 inany of several well-known manners. Hook 56 includes a shank 58 and acollar 60 adjacent base 62 of the hook. The diameter of collar 60 isgreater than the diameter of bore 52 to prevent collar 60 and thereforeend 54 of strap 14 from passing through bore 52 inward of stop 44. Bore52 is sized to allow strap 14 to move freely through the bore. An end ofstrap 14 that includes a hook is sometimes referred to herein as thehead end of the strap.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view of end 18 of member 16 of FIG. 2. Ascan be seen, stop 44 is sized to be inserted into end 18 and is fixed inposition by standard methods such as compression fitting or byattachment devices such as rivets or screws (not shown). The sidewallportion 48 of the cup-like stop 44 is longer than the sidewall portion34 of stop 30 in the opposite end of member 16 (FIG. 2) to define acup-like shape. The cup-like stop 44 defines a recessed portion 64 inthe lateral end 18 of member 16. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and5, hook 56 is completely contained within recessed portion 64 when strap14 is in the normally retracted position shown in those figures. An endcap 65 may optionally be removably attached to the outer end of stop 44to completely enclose recessed portion 64 when strap 14 is in theretracted position. For instance, end cap 65 may be sized to slidablyfit over the outer edges of lip 46 of stop 44 in the direction of thearrows in FIG. 5. While in position over the stop, end cap 65 protectshook 56 from exposure to environmental elements. Cap 65 may be attachedto the outer end of stop 44 in any appropriate manner to allow the capto be removed and thus allow access to hook 56.

A protective cap 65 may also optionally be applied to lateral end 20 ofmember 16. In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the optionalcap over end 20 could be permanently attached to provide continuousprotection from environmental elements. A cap placed over the end of thetubular member adjacent a head end of a strap would of course need to beremovably attached to allow access to the hook device by removing thecap.

It will be appreciated that the configuration of hook 56 shown in FIGS.2 and 5 is for illustrative purposes only and that the hook can be ofany sufficient shape to provide a means for attaching the cargo to arack. For example, the hook could be an eyelet or loop formed on the endof strap 14 or any other configuration suitable for attaching the end ofthe strap to another object or to itself. In some applications it wouldbe advantageous to include a safety-locking device on the hook, forexample in the manner of a locking carabiner, or some similar gateddevice that prevents the hook from disengaging when it is in a hookedposition.

In addition, the manner in which the opposite ends of strap 14 areprevented from movement past their respective stops into passageway 22may be varied. One example of an alternate configuration for preventinginward-movement of the ends of strap 14 past their respective stops isillustrated in FIG. 3, where instead of collars 42, 60 (FIG. 2) attachedto the opposite ends of strap 14, the end 66 of the strap is tied in aknot 68 to form an enlarged portion 70 in strap 14. Enlarged portion 70is sized greater than the bore 72 through the stop 74 to preventmovement of end 66 of the strap beyond stop 74 into passageway 22. End66 could also be doubled back on itself and fixed in place with a clip(not shown) to form an enlarged portion 70. A further alternateconfiguration for preventing inward-movement of an end of strap 14 thatis not a head end is to attach the non-head end to the sidewall oftubular member 16 for instance with a bolt. Again referring to FIG. 3,the head end 76 of strap 14 has a knot 78 formed therein outwardly ofthe bore formed through stop 80. As is shown in FIG. 3, the knot 78 islarger than the opening through the bore, preventing movement of knot 78and therefore end 76 past stop 80.

In the alternate arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4 a hook is attached toeach opposite end of strap 14. Strap 14 thus has two head ends. A firsthook 82 is attached to end 84 of strap 14, and a second hook 88 isattached to opposite end 86 of strap 14. Both hooks 82 and 88 areconfigured similarly to hook 56 of FIG. 2 and include collars 90 and 92that are sized larger than the bores 94, 96 through stops 98, 100,respectively. Bores 94 and 96 are sized such that strap 14 may be movedfreely through the bores. Typically, the surface of the bores would bemilled smooth to prevent undue wear and tear or unnecessary fraying ofthe strap.

A single piece of cargo may optionally contain several securementapparatuses according to the present invention. For instance, thesecurement apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 may be installed in multiplerungs on a ladder. In this way the ladder may be secured to a supportstructure at several points along its length, thereby increasing thesecurity of the attachment. In addition, by providing multipleattachment points the ladder may be attached to several different kindsof racks that may have support structures for attachment of the ladderin different positions. Additionally, multiple straps 14 may beinstalled into a single elongate tubular member 16 to provide formultiple points of attachment from a single tubular member.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 4 and 6, in a normally retracted positionstrap 14 is contained within passageway 22 through member 16, with thehook contained in the recessed portion of the corresponding stop. Thisis the position strap 14 remains in when the securement apparatus 10 isnot being used to attach cargo to a rack or other support. For instance,when a ladder incorporating the securement apparatus 10 illustrated inFIG. 1 is being used, apparatus 10 is contained within a rung of theladder, out of the way when the ladder is in normal use. Since the hookson the ends of strap 14, for instance hooks 82, 88 of FIG. 4, arecompletely contained within the respective recessed portions 102, 104 ofthe respective stops 98, 100, there are no obstructions on the laddercaused by the securement apparatus. In this way the securement apparatusremains out of the way when it is not needed. Alternately, the head endof the strap could extend slightly from the lateral end of the tubularmember in applications where a protruding head end would not be aninconvenience, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 12.

When the time comes for securing the cargo to a support, for instancewhen the ladder is loaded in position on a pick up truck rack 128 asillustrated in FIG. 1, cap 65 is removed from the lateral end of therung to expose the hook contained within the recessed portion of thestop. Strap 14 is then extended to an extended position where the hookor hooks on the end of the strap are attached to a support structure orwrapped around the support structure and attached to the ladder. Forinstance, referring to the securement apparatus shown in FIG. 4, thehook 88 would be grasped and pulled outwardly away from the ladder.Strap 14, which as noted is preferably an elastomeric material, allowshook 88 to be pulled outwardly to allow the strap to be wrapped aroundpart of the support structure, thereby providing a point of attachmentbetween the cargo--the ladder--and the support structure. Because collar90 is of a greater diameter than bore 94, stop 98 serves as an anchorfor the end of strap 14 that is positioned adjacent lateral end 102,while permitting hook 88 to be pulled outwardly away from the oppositeend of the tube. Collar 92 performs the same function as collar 90 inthe event hook 82 is first pulled outwardly away from the tube to anextended position for securing the cargo to a support. In addition, inthe embodiment of FIG. 4, both head ends may be pulled outwardly to anextended position, in which case both hooks 82 and 88 may be used tosecure the cargo to the support.

Again referring to FIG. 1, the strap may be wrapped around ahorizontally extending cross bar 130 that is a component of rack 128,with hook 88 being connected to rail 24. Because the strap 14 iselastomeric, tension is applied to the strap, thereby securing theladder to the rack. The securement apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 also includesa further hook 82 connected to the opposite end of strap 14. As can beseen in FIG. 1, hook 82 is pulled outwardly away from the ladder in thesame manner as hook 88 and is secured around cross bar 130 in a similarmanner.

The particular manner in which the hooks provide attachment between thecargo and the support structure is not important, since a secureattachment between the two may be accomplished by, for example,connecting the hooks directly to a component of the support structure.So long as there is a direct or indirect attachment between thesecurement apparatus and the support structure, the cargo will be heldsecurely in place.

As noted previously, in addition to utilizing a conventional elasticcord for strap 14, other materials could be used with equaleffectiveness. As examples, fabric strapping materials used incombination with adjustable buckle systems would allow the strap to liein a normally retracted position when the apparatus is not being used tosecure cargo to a support, and could be extended to an extended positionwhen in use to secure the cargo. Such a fabric strap and buckle systemis illustrated in FIG. 12, where strap 14 includes a conventionaladjustable buckle 178 within the interior of tubular member 16. In thisembodiment a removable stop 180 includes an inwardly projecting eyelet182 through which strap 14 is looped. Although strap 14 is notelastomeric in this embodiment, the length that the head end of thestrap may be extended out of the tubular member into an extendedposition for securing the tubular member to a support is adjustable byremoving stop 180 from its position in the end of the tubular member andpulling the strap out of the tubular member to provide access to thebuckle. The buckle may then be used to adjust the length of the strapbetween the buckle and the head end of the strap. The buckle systemillustrated in FIG. 12 allows the length of the strap to be adjustedwhen the strap is in the extended position, thereby allowing tension tobe applied to the strap to provide for secure attachment between cargoand support.

The securement apparatus of the present invention may be utilized insome configurations without a stop in one end of the tubular member. Forexample, referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, stop 44 may beeliminated completely. In that case, when strap 14 is in the normallyretracted position hook 56 will lie adjacent lateral end 18 of tubularmember 16 and will be easily accessible from end 18 for movement into anextended position. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, both stops may beeliminated when one or more grappling-type hooks 184, 186 are used onopposite ends of elastomeric strap 14. The hooks function to hold theends of the strap in place when the strap is in the retracted position,yet allow either or both head ends to be extended outwardly intoextended positions by pulling the grappling-type hooks away from thetubular member.

In another embodiment that is not illustrated, the securement apparatusincludes a looped strap that has both ends fixed to the tubular memberat an intermediate point or points between the two opposite lateral endsof the member. The loop of the looped strap is accessible through one orboth lateral ends and thus forms the head end or head ends of theapparatus as the case may be. The loop can be pulled outwardly away fromthe normally retracted position wherein the strap is contained withinthe tubular member into an extended position where, for example, theloop could be connected to a hook-like device on the support structure.

One method of adjusting the distance that a head end of strap 14 may beextended away from the tubular member when in the extended position, andfor varying the tension applied to strap 14 when in the extendedposition is shown in FIG. 6. In that embodiment a first end 107 of strap14 is fixed to the interior wall of tubular member 16, for instance witha rivet or bolt 106. A stop 108, shown with a cap 110 is inserted intolateral end 112 of tubular member 16 such that stop 108 may readily beremoved from lateral end 112. A hook 114 is attached to stop 108 suchthat the hook extends into passageway 22 through the interior of member16 inward of stop 108. Strap 14 is doubled back on itself such that itextends from the attachment point at bolt 106 around hook 114 to thehead end 116 of strap 14, which has a hook 118 attached thereto in amanner identical to that described above with respect to FIG. 2.Multiple loops or eyelets 120 are formed at intermediate positions instrap 14 between head end 118 and first end 107 by doubling strap 14back on itself and securing the loop with, for example, clips 122.

In the normally retracted position shown in FIG. 6 tension is applied tostrap 14, which is preferably an elastomeric material, to hold stop 108in place on the end of tubular member 16 yet allow stop 108 to beremoved from lateral end 112. The distance that the head end of strap 14may be extended away from lateral end 124 of member 16, and the amountof tension applied to strap 14 when in an extended position, may beadjusted by connecting an eyelet 120 to hook 114. This is accomplishedby removing stop 108 from its position in lateral end 112 of member 16and pulling an intermediate section of strap 14 outwardly frompassageway 22. One of the eyelets 120 is selected and connected to hook114. Stop 108 is then allowed to return to its position in lateral end112 and hook 118 on head end 116 of strap 14 may be pulled outwardlyaway from lateral end 124 to an extended position. By selectingdifferent eyelets 120 for connection to hook 114 the distance that hook118 may be extended outwardly from lateral end 124 may be adjusted, asmay the amount of tension applied on strap 14 when it is in an extendedposition.

Another method of adjusting the distance that head end of strap 14 maybe extended is shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is similar to the embodimentshown in FIG. 2 except a section of strap 14 is coiled within passageway22 to provide added strap material. This allows the head end of thestrap to be extended outwardly away from the tubular member a greaterdistance than embodiments without such coiling.

Additionally, the securement apparatus of the present invention may beinstalled in cargo items as a retrofit unit. In other words, theapparatus need not be built into the cargo device as an original item ofmanufacture and instead could be installed at any time. As an option forretrofitting a securement apparatus, the apparatus may be constructed ina pre-made tubular member that is sized to fit within an existingtubular member on a cargo device. As one example, the securementapparatus shown in FIG. 2 could be assembled in a pre-made tubularmember that is sized to be inserted into one end of tubular member 16and fixed in position in the passageway 22 therethrough. Although notshown in the drawings, it will be appreciated that in this case therewould be a double-walled tubular member when the apparatus is insertedinto passageway 22. A second retrofit option is to construct theapparatus in a pre-made tubular member that is sized to connect to atool such as a ladder but not such that the pre-made member insertswithin a tube on the ladder. For example, a pre-made tubular memberincorporating the present invention may be sized for connection to aladder having solid rungs such as a wooden ladder.

In addition, although the illustrations show tubular members that arestraight, the securement apparatus of the present invention will work incurved tubular members and flexible members. It will be appreciated thatthe stops 30 and 44 (FIG. 2) function to fix the respective ends ofstrap 14 relative to the lateral ends of tubular member 16 yet allowstrap 14 to be extended into extended positions where the strap is usedto secure the cargo to the support, and that other stop devices could beutilized to accomplish the same function. As one example, in theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, end 40 of strap 14 could be bolted orsimilarly attached to the interior of tube 16.

Alternate Embodiments

The embodiment of the securement apparatus of the present inventionshown in FIG. 1 illustrates the situation where the securement apparatus126 is a component of the support structure, which in the illustrationof FIG. 1 is a pick up truck rack 128. The securement apparatus itselfis contained within a horizontal cross bar 130 that is a component ofthe rack and which comprises an elongate tubular member. It will beappreciated that each of the different configurations and embodimentsdiscussed above and illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 apply equally tosecurement apparatus 126. In addition, multiple securement apparatusesmay be installed in multiple elongate tubular members in any one supportstructure to provide for multiple points of attachment to various cargodevices.

With the securement apparatus 126 of FIG. 1, the cargo such as a ladderis placed onto the support structure and secured in place in a mannersimilar to that described above with respect to a ladder that includesthe securement apparatus. For example, in FIG. 1 ladder 132 is securedto horizontal cross bar 130 of rack 128 by pulling a hook 134 outwardlyfrom a lateral end 136 of the elongate tubular member, which in theillustration of FIG. 1 comprises horizontal cross bar 130. Hook 134 ispulled outwardly from lateral end 136 to an extended position and isconnected to either the rack or the ladder such that strap 14 securesthe ladder to the rack.

Another alternate embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFIG. 8. In this embodiment, the strap includes a segment that is elasticand a segment that is a material that not easily cut, is not extendableand nonelastic, such as wire cable. In addition to this embodiment beinguseful for securing cargo to a support structure, this embodiment isuseful as a security device for locking cargo to support structures.Thus, as described below the wire cable segment may be extendedoutwardly away from the tubular member but the elastic portion of thestrap, which could be cut, remains enclosed within the tubular member.In the illustration of FIG. 8, the strap comprises a coiled section ofelastomeric material 138 that is sandwiched between two sections of wirecable 140. The wire cable is preferably a high quality type such asstainless steel that is resistant to cutting. The opposite ends ofelastomeric material 138 are connected to the innermost ends of thecables 140 with suitable connectors such as a compression shanks 142within the interior of passageway 22. Shanks 142 each include a collar144 having a diameter greater than the diameter of bore 146 throughstops 148 and 150, respectively. The outer ends of cables 140 passthrough the bores 146 and eyelet-type hooks 152 and 154 are attached tothe outer ends of the two sections of steel cable 140 outward of therespective stops 148, 150. Collars 156 positioned between theeyelet-type hooks and the stops are sized greater than the bores toprevent movement of the hooks through the bores and into passageway 22inward of the stops.

In the retracted position shown in FIG. 8 the coiled section ofelastomeric material 138 applies tension on the entire strap, pullingthe eyelet-type hooks connected to the outer opposite ends of the strapinwardly toward the center of passageway 22. In this position the strappulls the head ends of the strap inwardly toward the center ofpassageway 22 until collars 156 abut the respective stops and are thusprevented from moving past the stops in the direction toward the centerof passageway 22. Either one or both of eyelet-type hooks 152 and 154may be grasped and pulled outwardly away from tubular member 16 into anextended position. For example, hook 152 may be pulled outwardly untilcollar 144 on shank 142 abuts and engages stop 148. The exposed sectionof steel cable 140 may then be looped around a support structure andlocked in place with, for instance, a padlock. Because collar 144 limitsthe distance the steel cable may pulled outwardly, only steel cable,which is difficult to cut, is exposed outside of the tubular member, andthe elastomeric section of strap 14 remains enclosed within tubularmember 16 where it cannot be cut. This is an advantageous securityfeature that helps prevent theft. Similarly, hook 154 may be pulledoutwardly either in concert with hook 152 or by itself in the samemanner as just described.

FIG. 9 shows a further example of a locking-type securement apparatus ofthe present invention. This embodiment, which is analogous to theembodiment shown in FIG. 2 has only one head end. That is, only oneeyelet-type hook 158 is used. In the illustration of FIG. 9, the strapcomprises a length of coiled elastomeric material 168. A first end 160of strap 14 is anchored to a stop 162 with paired collars 164, 166positioned one on each side of the bore through the stop, fixing end 160in place. The opposite end of strap 14 is connected to a wire cablesection 170 as discussed above with reference to FIG. 8. A shank 172with a collar 174 allows hook 158 to be extended outwardly from tubularmember 16 but the distance the hook may be extended is limited by thecollar 174. Thus, hook 158 may be extended outwardly only until collar174 engages stop 176, thereby providing an extended position in whichonly wire cable is exposed for locking the tubular member to a support.

Another alternate embodiment that is useful for locking cargo to asupport structure is illustrated in FIG. 10, wherein a chain 188replaces strap 14. The distance that hook 190 extends outward of the end192 of tubular member 16 is adjusted by selecting a link of chain 188 toattach to an inwardly projecting hook 194 in removable stop 196.

While the present invention has been described in accordance withpreferred embodiments, it is to be understood that certain substitutionsand alterations may be made to the invention without departing from thespirit and scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A retractable securement apparatus comprising:an elongatetubular member having first and second opposite lateral ends and apassageway therebetween of a selected length; an extendable strap in thepassageway, the strap having first and second ends, a retracted positionhaving a retracted length that is substantially the same as the selectedlength, and at least one extended position having at least one extendedlength; a stop operable to hold the first end of the strap in a fixedposition relative to the first lateral end of the tubular member whileallowing the second end of the strap to be extended outwardly from thesecond end of the tubular member to extend the strap to the at least oneextended position, the stop comprising a bracket in the passagewayadjacent the first lateral end of the tubular member, the bracket havinga bore with a bore diameter that defines an opening through the bracket,and wherein the first end of the strap extends through the openingthrough the bracket and has a collar connected thereto outward of thebracket, the collar having a diameter greater than the bore diameter toprevent movement of the first end of the strap through the opening; anda tie-down connector attached to the second end of the strap.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 further including a second stop operable to holdthe second end of the strap in a fixed position relative to the secondend of the tubular member when the strap is in the retracted positionwhile allowing the strap to be extended to the at least one extendedposition, the second stop comprising a bracket in the passagewayadjacent the second lateral end of the tubular member, the second stopbracket having a bore with a bore diameter that defines an openingthrough the second stop bracket, and wherein the second end of the strapextends through the second stop bracket opening through the second stopbracket and has a second collar connected thereto outward of the secondstop bracket, the second collar having a diameter greater than thesecond stop bracket bore diameter to prevent movement of the second endof the strap through the second stop bracket opening.
 3. The apparatusof claim 2 wherein the second stop is secured in a fixed position in thepassageway inward of the second lateral end to define a recessed portionbetween the second stop and the second lateral end, and wherein thetie-down connector is substantially contained within the recessedportion when the strap is in the retracted position.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the stop is positioned in the passageway inward of thefirst lateral end to define a recessed portion between the stop and thefirst lateral end, and wherein the collar is substantially containedwithin the recessed portion.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 furtherincluding a tie-down connector attached to the first end of the strapoutward of the collar.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the tie-downconnector on the first end of the strap is substantially containedwithin the recessed portion between the stop and the first lateral endwhen the strap is in the retracted position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1including means for applying tension to the strap.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the strap comprises an elastomeric material.
 9. Aretractable securement apparatus, comprising:an elongate tubular memberhaving first and second opposite lateral ends and a passagewaytherebetween of a selected length; an extendable strap having first andsecond ends, a retracted position with a retracted length, and at leastone extended position with at least one extended length, the retractedlength being substantially the same as the selected length; a pair ofone-way strap stops operable to hold the first and second ends of thestrap in proximity to the respective first and second ends of thetubular member when the strap is in the retracted position whileallowing the strap to be extended into the extended position, each strapstop comprising a bracket fixed in the passageway adjacent therespective first and second ends of the tubular member, the bracketseach having an opening defining an opening through the bracket having anopening diameter, and wherein the first and second ends of the strapextend through the openings through the respective bracket; and atie-down connector secured to each of the first and second ends of thestrap.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which each end of the strapincludes a collar element positioned adjacent said end of said strapoutward of the bracket and having a diameter greater the openingdiameter.
 11. A retractable securement apparatus, comprising:anelongate, tubular structural component member having first and secondopposite lateral ends and a passageway therebetween of a selectedlength; an extendable strap having first and second ends, a retractedposition with a retracted length that is substantially the same as theselected length, and at least one extended position with at least oneextended length; a one-way strap stop fixed in the passageway andoperable to hold the first end of the strap at a fixed position in thetubular member when the strap is in the retracted position whileallowing the strap to be extended into the extended position, the strapstop including an opening defining an opening diameter into thepassageway through which the first end of the strap extends; and atie-down connector secured to the second end of the strap.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11 in which the strap includes a collar element fixedthereto and positioned adjacent the first end of the strap outward ofthe strap stop and having a diameter greater than the opening diameter.